Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) of Rochester (N.Y.) collection, 1854-1981

Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of the papers that document the history of the of the Rochester Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.). The materials date between 1854 and 1981. The papers are comprised of photographs, brochures, reports, periodicals, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings.
Extent:
20 Cubic Feet 3 2.3 cubic feet cartons, 1 record carton, 30 scrapbooks, 1 over sized scrapbook. and .4 Cubic Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Young Men's Christian Association of Rochester (N.Y.) Collection, [box#:folder# or scrapbook title]. Local History and Genealogy Divison, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of the papers of the Young Men's Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) of Rochester, New York. The materials date between 1854 and 1981. The papers are comprised of photographs, brochures, reports, periodicals, correspondence, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings.

The photographs in the collection document the activities, facilities, summer camps, staff, and events held by the Rochester Y.M.C.A. The bulk of the photographs are dated between 1920 and 1970. The majority of the photographs are publicity photos. The photographs were used in advertisements, newsletters, newspapers, and brochures. The photographs were removed from photo albums that also contained sheets that some identifying information such as, dates, events, and people in the photographs. The photographs are in decent condition with very little curling, cracking, or other deterioration.

The scrapbook series consists of 30 scrapbooks and one over-sized scrapbook. The scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings in chronological order regarding the Y.M.C.A. and its area branches. The clippings in the scrapbook are deteriorating, some scrapbooks are also over stuffed and the spines are deteriorating. The oversized scrapbook is missing the back cover and the items in the scrapbook are coming unglued.

The publications series consists of weekly bulletins, brochures, reports, booklets, and newspaper clippings. The bulletins date from the 1880's to about the 1920's. They are in decent condition, but are very fragile. The bulletins are newsletters published by the Rochester Y.M.C.A. They were originally distributed weekly and called "Weekly Bulletin." The Bulletin went through changes in distribution; going from weekly distribution, to bi-weekly, to monthly distribution. The name of the newsletter also changed over the years from "The Weekly Bulletin," "Bulletin," "Our Young Men," and finally "Rochester's Young Men." Most of the issues of "The Bulletin" are present in the collection. The missing issues are:

January-February 1896, April-December 1896

January-March 1897, June 1897

November-December 1897

March, May, August-September 1898

April, June-November 1899

January, August-December 1900

January 1901-October 1908

January, July, August, December 1909

July-September 1910

April-October 1911

February-October 1912

The brochures are pamphlets distributed by the Y.M.C.A. regarding summer camps, moral living, lectures, events, and joining the Y.M.C.A. They are dated between 1896 and 1920. The series contains the original Constitution and By-Laws of the 1854 Y.M.C.A. and the Constitution and By-Laws for the 1875 Y.M.C.A. The series contains newspaper clippings. These clippings were clipped by a clipping service and are any articles or advertisements in which the Y.M.C.A. is mentioned.

Biographical / historical:

The Y.M.C.A. of Rochester, New York was originally founded on March 17, 1854. Public meetings were held in the Common Council chambers and officers were elected. The first President was Reverend A.B. Atkins. The organization held Morning Prayer meetings, lectures, and access to a small religious library. Membership consisted of young men under 40 years old and in good standing with the Evangelical churches. The annual dues were one dollar. Young men of good moral character were welcome as well and received the same benefits but they could not hold office or vote. The original organization lasted less than two years and had three presidents; Rev. A.B. Atkins, Professor N.W. Benedict, and Reverend Yates Hickey. The organization rented a room out of Corinthian Hall. The organization failed because they were unable to raise enough funds.

Eight years later in 1863, there was another attempt to organize. This attempt lasted three and a half years and also went through three presidents; George W. Parsons, R.H. Rochester, and William R. Seward. A third attempt to organize in 1869 also failed. It wasn't until 1875 that the "permanent" Y.M.C.A. was established.

In 1875, the Y.M.C.A. consisted of a reading room, a social room, an assembly room that seated 100, and a small prayer room. The organization expanded through the 1880's and began to offer classes, activities, other services. In 1878, a Ladies Auxiliary was formed. As the Y.M.C.A. expanded, the need for a new permanent building became evident. After a long capital campaign, the first corner stone was laid in 1889. The new building consisted of a gymnasium, pool, baths, lockers, activity rooms, library, and eventually dormitories.

In 1890, a change was made to the constitution that removed the separate active and associate memberships to include all men of good moral character. The constitutional change also added a junior membership for boys under 16 years old. By 1890 there were four branches of the Y.M.C.A.; the College Y, Railroad Y, Boys Division, and the regular City Y. Through the depression of the 1890's, the Y.M.C.A. branches assisted young men with trade groups and contacts, entertainment (so the unemployed weren't roaming the streets), and classes in practical trades were offered.

Throughout the years, the Y.M.C.A has grown to add summer camps, athletic competitions, swim lessons, personal training, leadership development, and child care. The Y.M.C.A. has changed its focus from helping the young men of Rochester to include women and families. The Y focuses on overall health and wellness for all. According to their mission statement, the Y is in our community to give everyone an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. They work side-by-side with neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has access to Y programs that make people healthy, confident, and connected. There are currently 13 branches in the Rochester area.

Acquisition information:
This collection was found in the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y., Local History Division, shared stacks.
Processing information:

This project was made possible by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department.

The scrapbooks in the collection were wrapped for preservation and may need to be digitized at a later date to retain information. The scrapbooks are newspaper clippings glued to pages and are deteriorating. The photographs were removed from albums, placed in folders, and left in original order they were in the album. The photograph folders were arranged chronologically by the archivist. The pamphlets, brochures and other documents had metal fasteners removed, were removed from albums, and were arranged chronologically by the archivist. The collection has limited access to publications from 1854 to 1920 due to the fragile condition of the materials. Handling of the scrapbooks should be limited as well, due to the fragile condition. The Publications series was arranged alphabetically with the publications The Weekly Bulletin, The Bulletin, Our Young Men, and Rochester's Young Men arranged together chronologically. These publications are the same publication but, over time, went through name and distribution changes.

Arrangement:

This collection consists of three series:

Series I: Photographs, 1889-1973

Series II: Publications, 1854-1981

Sub-series A: Publications, 1854-1980
Sub-series B: Newspaper clippings, 1976-1981
Sub-series C: Non-local Y.M.C.A.'s, 1882-1917

Series III: Scrapbooks, 1900-1975

Physical description:
The scrapbooks are brittle, most of the photographs are in good condition, some are showing signs of deterioration (wavy, creasing, tacky). Most of the publications and brochures are in excellent condition, some are fragile and deteriorating.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to the over-sized scrapbook and paper materials dated between 1854 and 1920 in this collection have limited access by Rochester Public Library, Local History and Genealogy Division in order to preserve the original materials. Contact the Local History and Genealogy Division for information on access to the restricted portions of this collection.

Terms of access:

Copyright is held by the Rochester Public Library, Local History and Genealogy Division. Copyright of the papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder[s] of copyright and the Local History and Genealogy Division before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Preferred citation:

Young Men's Christian Association of Rochester (N.Y.) Collection, [box#:folder# or scrapbook title]. Local History and Genealogy Divison, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org